The first year students and their mentors met in the common area of the guild house. They had showered and dressed, everyone wearing clothing in the colors of the guild. Gideon and his friends lined up for inspection as the mentors had instructed. All six of the first years wore a supplied uniform from the academy. Some didn’t have clothing of the proper colors, while others chose to dress like the rest, solidarity being more important than fashion. Gideon knew most of the first years had other options, but he didn’t know why any of them would choose not to stand out. He had never been part of a team, so he didn’t have their motivations. He knew his own reasoning. He was poor and the uniforms were his only option.
The mentor group walked the line and inspected the first years. “Everyone looks great, good job.” Silas complimented them. Gage and Ellison walked about the first years, doing a more critical inspection. They adjusted the belt on Primrose’s dress. Ellison adjusted the ponytail that Phoenix had put her hair up in. Gideon found the scene comical. Phoenix looked almost like a little doll that Ellison was playing with. He chose to keep this observation to himself. I think I better carry that one to my grave, or I may end up in the grave earlier. He felt much better, the lightheartedness of the group was refreshing.
These thoughts brought a smile to his face. The smile may have been ill timed though. In that very moment, Gage stepped in front of him. “Well hello to you to,” She said conversationally. She put her hand up around his neck teasingly as she adjusted his collar. “You have to fold the collar down like this,” she whispered only loud enough for him to hear. She undid the top button of the shirt. “There, that looks much better. You shouldn’t be able to look all prim and proper, but be a hopeless mess at the same time. Somehow you managed it though, didn’t you?” Gage stared up at him, a look of curiosity in her eyes. A thought occurred to him. She looks much tinier when I’m not stuck on my back hoping I don’t die, almost like a pixie.
Gideon could hear Ellison on the other end fussing with Maximus,” You certainly are a monster aren’t you. Cleaning you up didn’t shrink you any. You’re grandfather must have been a real specimen. We’re going to need to get you new clothes on the next trip to the city. Nothing fits you.”
After the first years uniforms were adjusted and inspected, the Delvers Guild made their way down to the Grand Hall. Silas was giving a rudimentary tour along the way, pointing out classrooms and the like as they walked. Gideon didn’t catch much of the information, there was just too much to take in. The over-stimulation was a new experience for him. He lived such a minimalistic lifestyle, that this new world was overwhelming. He saw other students in the blue and white colors coming from the upper levels, the Delvers came from the east. The gray and black came from the north wing the maroon and gold from the west. I really need to explore to learn the layout, but it looks to be sectored off by the houses. Are the years separated by floor? Hopefully I don’t get lost tomorrow.
The three houses coming from different sections triggered a thought. The three towers reaching into the sky from the academy. Each must be one of the three upper class-men’s wing? The main vestibule was breathtaking. Gideon hadn’t entered the academy through this way so he hadn’t got to see the main hall, the vaulted ceilings, or the various tapestries. He took it all in.
On the west wall hung the maroon banner lined with gold, obviously for The Syndicate. Scales were emblazoned in its center in gold thread. They must represent balance or trade? I’m guessing a lot of nobles end up in that house.
On the north wall hung the gray and black banner of The Ronin, it was a simple but an eye catching design. It featured a sword, its tip stuck in the ground. The tassels tied to the hilt blew in the wind. The banner was solid black and the art work was done in a gray stitching. It looks like the sword is waiting for the next Ronin to step up and wield it. The Ronin must be about inviting other warriors to join their cause. Or maybe they are offering a home to those that lost their previous cause?
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The eastern wall above the stair case featured the midnight blue and white banner, that of the Delvers Guild. It featured a logo of an archway made of stone. A torch was propped against a rock next to the stone. The torch is like an invitation, come inside and lets go for a delve? The basic design drew him in, he wanted to wield that torch and go for an adventure. It was all so breathtaking, the hall was magical.
All the banners seemed to call to him, present a purpose. They must be enchanted he thought?
The stairs that they walked on was a three way fork, the houses were all coming down one of the three forks. They connected in the final section to go to the first floor to the banquet hall. This section of the stair was cyclopean in size. Its design enabled the three forks to come together without congesting and bogging the traffic down. It all boggled the mind. He wondered how many students did the Academy support before? It seemed so large, why would they only allow a small amount of students each year? How many empty rooms were there left in his guild house? He walked with the other five first years and their three mentors. Silas had said they would sit with the upperclassmen and would meet with them in the dining hall.
“They’ll let anyone in here, won’t they Grif?” Gideon heard a familiar voice say. He looked over his shoulder and there was Blake and Grifter. Blake was in the maroon and gold as Gideon would expect. His clothes were extravagant, obviously brought with him. I bet he knew which house he was going into beforehand. He shared his house colors with Razor and Allary, as Gideon would expect. Grifter however was not dressed in the gold and maroon as Gideon expected him to be. He walked in the middle lane of the large staircase, in the gray and black of the House of Ronin. More surprising, Grifter’s normally featureless face showed anger and frustration. What is wrong with him? Is he upset he didn’t make it into Blake’s house? Looks like Allary, Razor, and Titus are in the Syndicate. He didn’t recognize any of the others with Blake. Gideon looked to the gray and black of the Ronin, he didn’t know anyone other than Grifter. They truly are loners. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen any of them around before? Surely I would have seen a couple of them. He wondered if they all could blend in like Grifter?
Blake laughed as he was looked over at Grifter. “You see that scamp, you’ve really upset him. He can’t even talk right now. I’d watch my back if I were you. Payback and karma will be coming your way.” Gideon was shocked by this proclamation and his thoughts raced. Me? What did I do? Just ignore them, face forward and place one step in front of the other. Gideon took a few slow deep breaths.
Maximus yelled in rage behind Gideon. “Scamp! How dare you. You do know your mother sneaks out and sleeps with Pig Farmer Henklen every week? Come here and I’ll show you what he does to her.” What is going on? Gideon thought. He turned around to see what the disturbance was. Maximus was enraged on behalf of Gideon. He was screaming at Blake as he leaned on the railing that divided the stairs. The Ronin were caught between Maximus’s rage and his target Blake. Gideon pushed past the other Delvers to get to the back of the group where Maximus was.
“It’s okay Maximus, he doesn’t bother me. He has been bullying me for years. But for once I’m on equal terms. I’ll get my time and when I do, I’ll show him who the weak one is.” The big man looked into Gideon’s eyes, listened to his words. It was enough. He calmed down and the two continued down the stairs.
“Sorry about that. Those are the very things Papa fought to stop. He wanted an equality between the people and he fought for it. As great as he was, and how hard he fought for it, it’s as if it never happened. I still get frustrated when I see people like Blake looking down on others, treating them like they are lesser.” Maximus smiled at Gideon. “Just know I got your back, no matter what. I can’t wait until the day you show him who’s boss.” Gideon looked at him and saw the truth. Maximus would support him against anything, except maybe the girl he was watching again as they walked. Primrose, you need to open your eyes, Gideon thought.
“Thanks man. How did you know that stuff about his mom? That really shut him up.”
“Oh I didn’t, I made it up. Made up the pig farmer too. Wouldn’t want him giving some innocent pig farmer any trouble. With the life they live, they don’t need to borrow any trouble us. I bet he is thinking about how much ham they have eaten recently though!” Gideon laughed and slapped Maximus on the shoulder as they entered the dining hall.